Ryder Cup golf to get exclusive Sky Sports Channel

Sky Sports viewers can enjoy dedicated coverage of The 2014 Ryder Cup like never before this autumn as the golf tournament will have its own exclusive channel.

Sky Sports 4 will become Sky Sports Ryder Cup and will show more than 330 hours of golf across a 14-day period, including 36 hours of live coverage from around Gleneagles.

It means two weeks of non-stop action from one of the biggest events in the sport, while the 2014 tournament will mark the tenth occasion that it has been shown exclusively on Sky Sports.

The channel will launch on Thursday 18 September before concluding on Thursday 2 October and echoes the concept of last year’s ‘Sky Sports Ashes’ which showed exclusive cricket coverage.

Sky Sports is preparing itself for a busy autumn, with coverage of the Ryder Cup just one of many sports to be covered, while Sky Sports 5 also launches in August.

Coverage of the Barclays Premier League football, the UEFA Champions League, autumn international rugby union, ATP tennis, Formula 1, NFL and PRO12 all form part of a packed schedule.

“We’re dedicating a whole channel to the biggest event in golf, providing viewers with the complete Ryder Cup experience all in one place,” explained Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports.

“There will be nowhere better for sports fans to enjoy the passion, drama and excitement of this incredible event.”

He explained that round-the-clock coverage of all the build-up, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies would be available.

“The dedication shown by Sky Sports in showcasing both The European Tour and The Ryder Cup is matched only by the continued excellence and innovation of their programming,” added George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour.

Coverage of the 2014 Ryder Cup will be available across TV, online and through mobile and tablet devices with Sky Go.

Sky Sports subscribers will see presenter David Livingstone joined by former winning European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and coach to numerous members of the US team, Butch Harmon.

On Sunday, Jack Nicklaus, who twice captained the US team to glory and appeared in the Ryder Cup five times, will also be part of the team.

As well as the live coverage, Sky Sports Ryder Cup will also include exclusive interviews with some of the greats of the game, highlights shows and analysis, as well as the best moments from past Ryder Cup tournaments.